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History of YLI

During the 1998 Congressional elections, national voter turnout was the lowest it had been since 1942. University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato, troubled by the pervasive apathy and cynicism surrounding politics that he saw in the students in his classroom, recognized an opportunity to combat this lack of interest or engagement in government by educating students in kindergarten through 12th grade about their rights and responsibilities as citizens of the United States.

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) was established in 1999 as a pilot program with 14 schools in the state of Virginia. It now provides public and private schools in all 50 states, D.C., US territories and other schools around the world with a comprehensive program of technology-based civics education resources, housed online through the YLI website. The academic materials combine lesson plans with civic participation activities so that students can experience directly what it means to live in a representative democracy.

Support YLI

If you are an educator and feel your students have benefitted from YLI’s resources and activities or if you are simply an involved citizen and wish to join in our effort to increase the level of civic engagement among all Americans, please consider donating to YLI. Your tax-deductable contribution of any amount, small or large, will ensure that our resources remain free of charge and accessible to all.

Ways to Give

Contribute by check – make it payable to “UVA Center for Politics” with a note saying that it for the support of YLI and mail to:

Office of Development
University of Virginia Center for Politics
PO Box 400806
Charlottesville, VA 22904